Luminaires



May 27, 1958 H. A. VAN DUSEN, JR

LUMINAIRES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 3, 1955 R m 5 mm mm A a L o R A H fir A-r-roanev y 27, 1958 H. A. VAN DUSEN, JR 2,836,709

LUMINAIRES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May s, 1955 R m" m a V5 N m a D o u T A .1 A A K a L ov. RB

LUMINAIRES Harold A. Van Dusen, En, South Milwaukee, Wis, as-

Signor to McGraw-Edison Qompany, a corporation of Delaware Application May 3, 1955, Serial No. 565,679

6 Claims. (Cl. Mil-25) This invention relates to luminaires and is particularly directed to the stationary housing assembly and the refractor or globe assembly and the associated parts.

The use of series lighting, particularly for street lighting, is gaining i popularity on account of its simplicity, and also on ac at of economies effected in the distribution system and in other advantageous features of such series lighting systems. However, there are certain drawbacks among which may be listed primarily those due to the use of high voltage with its resulting dangers to the linemen and servicemen.

lt is apparent, therefore, that it is highly desirable to have the refractor assembly or globe and lamp holder assembly so arranged that it may be rocked downwardly from the stationary housing assembly so that the serviceman may readily inspect the parts and detach and subsequently replace the globe assembly when desired without danger to himself, and also may readily clean both the lamp itself and the refractor or globe assembly and rock it back into place.

The customary practice is to mount the stationary housing assembly so that the axis of the lamp is horizontal, though this invention is not limited to such mounting. It is to be understood that the terms hereinafter used, such as upper or lower, or downwardly and upwardly, are not to be interpreted in any manner in a limiting sense, but are used merely for simplicity in describing and claiming the invention.

When the globe assembly, or lamp and refractor assembly is rocked downwardly about its hinge so that it is in an open position, the maintenance or service man when closing the globe assembly is often standing below the fixture and will push directly upwardly against the globe assembly while closing it. This often pushes the hinged end of the globe assembly out of its hinge, and frequently the entire globe assembly falls to the ground unless special means are employed.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a construction such that when the globe assembly is pushed upwardly during closing that there is no chance of detaching the globe assembly from the hinge, but instead in which means are provided which automatically lock the globe assembly against detachment from the hinge even while the globe assembly is being rocked back into closed position and before and after it is finally locked in closed position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a construction such that a spring action is obtained which pushes the globe assembly tightly upwardly against a sealing gasket of the stationary housing assembly to thus obtain a tight and secure seal when the globe assembly is in its completely closed position.

A further object of this invention is to so construct the hinge means that a locking means is provided which will preclude detachment of the globe assembly from the hinge during closing motion even though there is an outward or substantially horizontal force exerted on the globe assembly due to the interengagement of the mov- 2,335,709 Fatented May 27, 1958 able contact means of the globe assembly and the stationary contacts of the housing assembly.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure .1 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly broken awa of the hinge portion of a luminaire showing the globe assembly in closed position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the structure shown in Figure l with the globe assembly in open position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly broken away, corresponding to Figure 1 and showing a further form of the invention.

Figurev 6 is a view of the structure shown in Figure 5 showing the globe assembly in open position.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 Figure 5.

Referring to the first form of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 4 it will be seen that the stationary housing assembly has been indicated by the reference character 1 the movable globe assembly by the reference character 2. The stationary housing assembly 1 may have an interior specular surface or it may carry a reflector (not shown) as a separate member but forma unitary portion of the stationary housing. The stationary housing is provided with a terminal block 3 of insulating material which carries the stationary contacts 4.

The movable globe assembly is provided with a lamp receptacl 5 which will be referred to hereinafter as a lamp socket. The lamp socket 5 is provided with movable contacts s which engage the stationary contacts l when the globe assembly is in closed position. The lamp socket 5 removably carries a mercury vapor, incandescent, or other type of lamp '7. The lamp socket 5 may be supported by means of a bracket 8 attached to the globe holder ring 9. The globe holder ring supports the fiange of a light transmitting globe 10 of any suitable type.

Preferably a cushioning gasket 11 is interposed between the flange of the globe Ill and the ring 9. Further, it is to be noted that the stationary housing assembly 1 is provided with a resilient sealing gasket 12' against which the globe assembly bears when in closed position.

The stationary housing assembly 1 is provided with a hinge member consisting of a pair of hook-like portions 12 which have upwardly projecting prongs 13. Also, it is to be noted that the stationary housing assembly is provided with a leaf spring 14.

The movable globe assembly is provided with a pair of trunnions 15 which are detachably received by the hinge members 12 and are positioned behind the upwardly extending prongs 13 of the hinge members. The globe assembly is also provided with a pair of spaced cams 16 which are joined by a transverse web 17.

When the globe assembly is in closed position the eccentric portions of the cams 16 are positioned beneath an outwardly projecting shoulder 18 formed as a unitary portion of the stationary housing assembly. Further, it will be seen from Figures 1 and 3 that when the globe assembly is in closed position the leaf spring 14 bears upwardly against the web 17 of the globe assembly and forces the globe assembly into sealing engagement with the stationary housing assembly. The outer end or portion of the globe assembly is latched to the stationary housing assembly by means of a latch such as shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,309,279 of R. L. Smythe issued January 26, 1943, and assigned to the same assignce as is the present invention. This latch forms no portion of the present invention but serves to urge the outer portion of the movable globe assembly into sealing relaleaf spring.

tion with the stationary housing assembly as shown in the patent noted above.

'It is to be noted particularly from Figures 1, 2 and 3 that theeccentricportions -of the cams 16 are positioned beneath the outwardly projecting shoulder 18 of the stationary housing assembly; It frequently happens that when the serviceman closes the globe assembly that he 7 pushes directly upwardly on the globe assembly. This, however, does not detach the globe assembly from the hinge portion of the stationary housing assembly as the eccentric portions are located directly below the shoulder 18' and prevent inadvertent detachment during the closing motion and after the globe assembly is completely closed. However, the globe assembly can be readily detached from the housing assembly by rocking the globe assembly backward, that is to say, in'a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 so as to rock the eccentric portion of the cams 16 outwardly beyond the over-hanging shoulder 18, thus allowing ready detachment of the globe assembly from the stationaryhousing assembly. Further, it is to be noted that anyhorizontal or outward force that may be exerted on the globea'ssembly, duringclosing motion due to the interengagement of the movable and stationary contacts will'not detach the globe assembly from the hinge since the trunnions 15 of the globe assembly are positioned directly behind the prongs 13 of the housing assembly and thus resist the horizontal outwardly directed force.

It is to be understood that while the drawings show the housing assembly mounted so that its axis is horizontal that nevertheless it may be mounted vertically, or in any other desired position. The expressions horizontal, upwardly, or downwardly, are therefore not intended as limiting expressions but are merely .used to facilitate the description of the invention. A

In the second form of the invention shown in Figures throughS the same construction and mode'of operation'is employed as that of the first form of the invention with the exception, however, of the shape of the cams and the shape and manner of operation of the coacting The same reference characters are used to indicate the corresponding parts in the second form of nected to said stationary housing assembly, said globe assembly including a glode, and a lamp socket, said housing assembly having an open lower portion and having a shoulder projecting from the marginal portion of the housing assembly, inwardly over a part of the 'open lower portion adjacent the hingedly connecting part of the housing and globe assemblies and said globe assembly having adetachment-preventing member prothe invention as those used in the first form of the invention.

It will 'be seen from Figures Sand 6 that the cams 19 serve identically the same purpose in preventing inadvertent detachment of the globe assembly from the housing'assembly as the cams of the first form of the invention. However, the cams 19 are each provided with a shoulder 20 which engages the leaf spring 21 of the stationary'housing assembly 1 when the globe assembly is rocked into closed position as shown in Figure 5.

The first form of the invention is a preferred form and it will be seen that there is less chance of the spring vided with a projecting portio-n'arranged'to rock beneath said shoulder when said globe assembly is being rocked upwardly during closing motion, said shoulder overhanging said detachment-preventin member when said globe assembly is hanging downwardly and after said globe assembly has been rocked upwardly, whereby said globe assembly is prevented from detachment from said stationary housing assembly during upwardly rocking motion. a

2. In a luminaire construction, a stationary housing assembly and a movable globe assembly hingedly connected to said stationary housing assembly, said globe.

assembly including a globe, and a lamp socket, said housing assembly having an open lower portion and having a shoulder projecting from the marginal portion of the housing assembly, inwardly over a part of the open lower portion adjacent the hingedly connecting part i of the housing and globe assemblies and said globe assembly having a detachment-preventing member provided with a cam like member having an eccentric portion arranged to rock beneath said shoulder while said globe assembly is being rocked upwardly into closed i position, said shoulder overhanging said cam when said globe assembly is hanging downwardly and after said globe assembly has been rocked upwardly, whereby said globe assembly is prevented from detachment from said stationary housing assembly during upwardly rocking motion. 1 a

3. In a luminaire construction, a stationary housing assembly and a movable globe assembly hingedly connected to said stationary housing assembly,'said globe assembly including a globe, and a lamp socket, said housing assembly having an open lower portion and having a shoulder projecting from the marginal portion of the housing assembly, inwardly over a part of the open lower portion. adjacent the hingedly connecting part of the housing and globe assemblies and having a spring, said globe assembly having a detachment-preventing member arranged to rock beneath said shoulder when said globe assembly is rocked towards closed position to thereby prevent detachment of said globe assembly during closing motion and havinga spring-engaging portion movable into a position above said spring durjamming against any portion of the globe assembly than there is in the second form of the invention. However,

inadvertent detachment of the globe assembly from the hinge is prevented in both forms of the invention and tight sealing of the globe assembly against the stationary housing assembly is'secured in both forms of the invention.

It will be seen that a novel and simple construction of luminaire has been provided which will prevent inadvertent detachment of the movable globe assembly during closing motion thereof and also after the globe assembly Further, it will "be noted has been latched closed. that when desired the movable globe assembly may be readily detached from the stationary housing assembly.

Although this inventionhas been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended to be illustrative rather thandimiting, as the invention may be variously embodiedand is to be interpreted'as claimed. a

We claims 1; In a luminaire construction, a stationary housing assembly and a movable globe assembly hingedly coning the final closing motion of said globe assembly and coacting with said spring to urge said globe assembly upwardly towards sealing engagement with said stationary housing assembly.

4. In a luminaire construction, a stationary housing assembly having a hinge provided with upwardly projecting hook-like portions and stationary contacts, a

globe assembly including a globe, and a lamp socket provided with contacts arranged to engage said stationary contacts and exert a substantially horizontally outwardly directed force when said globe assembly is rocked upwardly and having trunnions engaging behind said booklike portions .to thereby resist outwardly directed substantially horizontal motion when said stationary .and movable contacts are'in engagement, and having 'a deta'ch-ment-preventing cam, said housing assembly having an open lower portion and having a shoulder projecting from the marginal portionof the housing assembly, in-

wardly over a part of the open lower portion adjacent thehingedly connecting part of the housing and globe assemblies overhanging said cam when said globe assem bly is being rocked into closed position.

5. In a luminaire construction, a stationary housing assembly having stationary contacts and having a hinge portion provided with upwardly projecting hook-like portions, said housing assembly having a leaf spring, a globe assembly including a globe, a lamp socket provided with contacts arranged to engage the stationary contacts and exert a substantially horizontal outwardly directed force when said globe assembly is rocked upwardly and having trunnions engaging behind said hooklike portions to thereby resist outwardly substantially horizontal motion when said stationary and movable contacts are in engagement and having a pair of spaced detachment-preventing cams and having a web joining said cams for engaging said spring to force said globe assembly into sealing engagement with said housing assembly, said housing assembly having an open lower portion and having a shoulder projecting from the marginal portion of the housing assembly, inwardly over a part of the open lower portion adjacent the hingedly connecting part of the housing and globe assemblies overhanging said cams when said housing assembly is being rocked into closed position to prevent said globe assembly from being detached from said housing assembly during rocking motion.

6. In a luminaire construction, a stationary housing assembly and a movable globe assembly hingedly conbeneath said shoulder when said globe assembly is being rocked upwardly into closed position, said cam having an abrupt shouldered portion, said housing assembly having a leaf spring for engagement with the shouldered portion of said cam when said globe assembly is in closed position to thereby urge said globe assembly into sealing relation with said stationary housing assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 993,085 Little May 23, 1911 1,960,854 Sawin May 29, 1934 2,302,661 Benson Nov. 24, 1942 2,309,279 Smythe Jan. 26, 1943 2,678,380 Westby May 11, 1954 

